Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-07-25
MORE JUBILEE.
The Naval Review Participated IN by
l2s fessels-No Such Fleet Ever Before
Seen in any Water-The Queen Given a
Grand Reception in Her Passage Down
the Line.
PORrSMOrTH. ENGLAND Inlv %


Portsmouth and South Sea have beer
thronged for days past in anticipation of the
jubilee naval review fixed for this after.
noon. At Spithead the crowds have been
immensely augmented, this morning bv the
arrival of innumerable visitors from all parts
OF the country, who came by special trains
from London and other centers. Good posi-
tions for observing the display are all well
occupied. The weather could not be more
favorable. There ia a bright sunshine and a
slight breeze is blowing. Everybody is in
holiday attire, and gay dresses and splendid
uniforms give the crowded thoroughfsres a
brilliant appearance. Special trains brought
down from London the Lords of Admiralty,
members of the House of Lords and Com
mons and numerous representatives of for
eign legations, including Minister Phelps.
The crowds afoat and ashore were enor-
nous. On arriving at the Portsmouth dock
yard, the favored ones embarked on board
the troop ships appointed to convey them
from here and from South Hampden to Spit
Head. The first troop ship to leave with
guests were two large Indian liners from
Southampton, which excited much admira-
ton from crowds on shore. They were
quickly followed by others from the Ports
mouth dock yard. The vessel participating
IN the pageant as paraders numbered 1928
pennants and included three squadrons of
iron clads and cruisers aggregating "a vessels,
10 torpedo boats, gun boats, and iron defense
ships divided into five fotillas, six training
brlgs and thirteen troop ships. Besides
these 12S ships under drill there were impe-
rial and Indian troop ships appointed to carry
distinguished visitors, and small vessels and
dock yard craft allotted the corporation of
Portsmouth, all of which were well laden
war ships and were drawn up in four lines,
facing the channel, the STAFFORD column be-
ing opposite Isle of Wight, port column be-
ing of Portsmouth. Ships were stationed
two cables apart, lines being three cables be-
tween. Flotillas were ranged in double col
umns between port column of iron clads
and main lands and troop ships were placed
in single column between starbord line and
Isle of Wight.
This made four lines of vessels on one side
of the channel and three on the other, entend
ing from South Sea Castle to the Rye Middle
Shoal, distance of over two miles. Each
ship patrolled by steamboat space between
her and the ship next to the eastward, to
keep the scene free from intrusion. Minotaur
kept clear the east approach to the alley be-
tween the iron clad columns, and Agincourt
did the same for the east approach to the
alley between the divisions and fotillas
Private boats carrying sight seers presented
pleasure boats of all nations and clines.
The whole scene, surveyed just before 2
o'clock, when naval vessels were all in place,
their decorations full flung and their crew in
holiday pose, private crafts hurrying to good
places, and multitudes ashore, packing them.
selves to see the event of the day, was gori
Gus in the extreme. Probably DO such feet
was ever seen before in any water. Every
lul nf Rrif Nj
sons old ship. the Victory, was conspicu-
GUS object, and her old timbers echoed again
and again, as boat after boat passed her, the
full complement cheering voraciously.
The old ship mounted gun or two and
fired universal salute to the Queen. Short
ly after when order was perceptible 10 the
water, the Euphrates, the Crocodile and the
Malabar proceeded to the westward of Os-
borne and stood in readiness to escort the
royal yachts when the Queen embarked at
three O'Clock to review the fleet. The Queen
left Osborne House just before three O'Clock
and went aboard the royal yacht Victoria and
Albert. She was passed by the Trinity yacht
and was followed by the royal yachts Os.
borne and Alberta and the ships Enchantress,
Helton, Euphrates, Crocodile and Malabar.
The royal procession proceeded straight to
its destination and passed between the lines
leaving the coast defence ships, gunboats and
torpedo boats on the port hand. After pro
ceeding rs far as the Horse Elbow buoy, the
Victoria and Albert turned to starboard and
passed between the two columns of ships
forming B and & squadrons, and then be-
tween the lines of foreign ships of war. As
Her Majesty passed through the lines of
ships, each being manned with brawny tars,
deafening cheers went up, but it was not un-
til the Queen had gone through the double
lines tina. the great cannon of the big ships
began to thunder forth royal salute with
roar that caused the vessels to roll and the
sea to increase its heavings as shot after shot
came booming over the water.
On such vessels as had no masts the tur-
rets, breastworks and decks were lined by
jack tars and the Queen had no reason TO
complain of her reception either in her pro.
gress down the line or on her return to Os-
borne, which was safely reached about six
O'Clock. Taken altogether, the vessels
which were drawn up in line when the Queen
passed, extended over four miles, and even
this length was added to by the great group
ship laden with spectators, also falling into
line and salutng the Queen as she made her
progress. Between and 10 tonight all the
ships along the line are to be illuminated with
and loHg lights and rockets are to
at intervals.
TWO ATTnuNEVS